ABSTRACT
Stripping of mashes with air as stripping gas and low ethanol contents between 3 and 5wt% was investigated in terms of its suitability for continuous bioethanol production. Experiments in a Blenke cascade system were carried out and the results were compared with values obtained from theoretical vapour-liquid-equilibrium calculations. The whole stripping process was energetically evaluated by a simulation in ChemCAD and compared to conventional distillation. Therefore several parameters such as temperature, air volume flow and initial ethanol load of the mash were varied. Air stripping was found to be a suitable separation method for bioethanol from mashes with low concentrations. However, energetic aspects have to be considered, when developing a new process.
Subject(s)
Air , Biofuels , Biotechnology/methods , Ethanol/metabolism , Computer Simulation , Feasibility Studies , Lignin/metabolism , Temperature , WaterABSTRACT
A gas lift-system with inserts (so-called Blenke cascade system) for continuous bio-ethanol fermentation was constructed. Gas introduced at the bottom of the column created toroidal vortices in the fluid cells between inserts, enhancing mixing and improving residence time behavior without stirring equipment being necessary. The parameters mash type, start-up strategy, yeast-recycle model and yeast separation were studied concerning the efficiency of the ethanol production. The best results obtained were for a filtered mash, a double saccharification principle (DSP), a batch start-up strategy, an activation-recycle model and a lamella settler connected in series with a small conventional gravitational settler for yeast cells separation. Using this system, the fermentation residence time was τ=4-5.5h, depending on substrate type. Eighty five percent of the yeast cells could be separated. High volumetric ethanol productivity (Q(p)=20.43g/Lh) and yield E(y)=98% were achieved. Continuous fermentation, yeast recycling and sedimentation were contamination-free processes.
